I’ve been doing the ChiRunning method for about six months. I think I am finally getting it right. I finally feel like my core is doing the work, my posture is good, my leg muscles are relaxed, and my feet are landing midfoot. It’s worth sticking with it…persistance always pays off in the sport of triathlon! I feel focused and strong when I run, and am doing a 10 minute mile on my 6 mile runs. 
I also think the pilates workouts I’ve been doing is really helping my running alot. If you are just starting out with ChiRunning, I recommend also doing Pilates!
Update July 29, 2006: I have recently changed my mind about ChiRunning, and now follow the Pose Method of running. Click here to read why.
Swimming Tips by Coach Ian Lee of =http://www.thatswimteam.org]THAT Masters Swim Team.
This drill is focusing on developing the wave breaststroke.
- Arms should move like normal breast.
- Make sure you get your head down.
- Instead of Breast kick you should do fly kick.
- The best timing is often 2 fly kicks to1 pull.
- Make sure you get your hips up. Your rear should break the surface.
- You should lunge forward with your hips breaking the surface as you recover your arms.
- This means your hips should break the surface, and your head should be down, before your arms are fully extended.
Swimming Tips by Coach Ian Lee of =http://www.thatswimteam.org]THAT Masters Swim Team.
This drill is to work on reaching forward, and getting a forward catch.
- You take 4 kicks
- On the 4th Kick you pull one stroke.
- Then you repeat.
A couple of years ago I bought several Pilates workout DVDs and tried them. I really liked this Denise Austin one the best. I’ve done this workout randomly here and there, not really ever getting into the habit of it, but always thinking I really should, because core strength is so valuable to a triathlete.
Well, last night I decided to start doing this tape regularly. I’m not sure if my core is simply stronger now from my swim team workouts, or if I am just now “getting it”…but Pilates is way easier if you are actually using your core correctly. There are these leg circle exercises that I always hated because they were so hard, and I could never do all of them. I used to think “Why can’t I do these exercises when my leg muscles are so strong from running and biking?”. Last night I was focusing on engaging my core when doing the leg circles, and they were so much easier.
Next time I go swimming or running, I plan on trying to recreate that feeling I get when doing the pilates leg circles… properly engaging my core so my arms and legs don’t have to do much of the work. (The ChiRunning book talks about using core strength to help your legs while you run. The Total Immersion book and my swim coaches talk about using core musces to so your weaker arms and legs don’t have to do all the work.)
Update July 29, 2006: I have recently changed my mind about ChiRunning, and now follow the Pose Method of running. Click here to read why.
I was at swim practice a few days ago and have been feeling pretty good about my technique…feeling like I’m finally getting the rotation right. Then the coach came over and asked me how my swimming felt. I said “pretty good”, and he said “looks like a lot of work”. I replied “Isn’t it supposed to be?”. He explained my stroke should be more relaxed , and he told me try to think like a child and ‘play’ with my stroke.
On a more positive note, I had a really good work out yesterday. A team mate in the next lane and I were swimming some intervals together. He’s faster than me, so he’d give me a head start. Then he’d try to catch up to me, and I’d try not to let him catch me. It was a great challenge for me. He said it was good for him, too. (Hope he wasn’t just being nice) Definitely alot more fun to swim with a buddy than solo.
